The Haunted Palace Episode 10: Yeo-ri's Kidnapping and Gangcheol's Secret Past Revealed!

A Sweet Beginning Overshadowed by Danger

Episode 10 of 'The Haunted Palace' opens with a tender moment between our leads following their first kiss in the previous episode. Gangcheol (played by Yook Sung-jae) and Yeo-ri (Kim Ji-yeon) are visibly flustered and excited about their newfound romance, unable to contain their feelings for each other. Their sweet interactions draw attention from those around them, with Yoon Gap's mother noticing how the pair now stick close together wherever they go.

This romantic development marks a significant turning point in their relationship, as both characters have finally acknowledged their feelings after episodes of tension and uncertainty. Viewers have been eagerly awaiting this progression, and social media reactions show overwhelming support for the couple's chemistry.

However, this blissful beginning is quickly overshadowed by the darker elements of the plot. The palace remains haunted by supernatural threats, and the mystery of the Eight-Feet Spirit continues to deepen. The episode balances these romantic moments with the ongoing supernatural investigation, creating a compelling contrast between light and dark elements.

The Mystery of the Eight-Feet Spirit Deepens

The investigation into the Eight-Feet Spirit takes center stage in this episode as Gangcheol, Yeo-ri, and King Lee Jung (Kim Ji-hoon) discuss the nature of this vengeful entity. Unlike purely evil spirits, the Eight-Feet Spirit is revealed to be a vengeful ghost seeking justice, which adds complexity to their approach in dealing with it.

During their strategy meeting, the King's guard notes that the spirit must have been a warrior or commander in life, based on the martial arts prowess the King displayed while possessed. This observation leads the King to consider which royal ancestor might have transformed into such a powerful spirit. Meanwhile, Gangcheol remains silent, harboring knowledge about his pearl—the only weapon capable of destroying the spirit—and wrestling with the decision of whether to use it.

The episode provides crucial information about the difference between malevolent spirits and vengeful ghosts, explaining that vengeful spirits like the Eight-Feet Spirit can potentially be appeased by resolving their grievances rather than simply exorcising them. This nuanced approach to supernatural entities adds depth to the show's mythology and raises the stakes for our protagonists.

Yeo-ri's Abduction and the Palace Conspiracy

The episode takes a dramatic turn when Yeo-ri mysteriously disappears from within the palace walls. The King is informed that someone has taken her outside the palace grounds, triggering immediate concern. What makes this situation particularly alarming is the realization that the kidnapper must be someone from within the palace itself—a betrayal from within.

Gangcheol discovers crystal sand that Yeo-ri cleverly dropped to create a trail, leading him to the Blind Shaman Bureau. There, he confronts Se-won but is denied answers about Yeo-ri's whereabouts. Using his supernatural abilities, Gangcheol reveals a hidden chamber within the bureau, further confirming his suspicions about their involvement in dark activities.

The political intrigue intensifies as we learn that Kim Bong-in (played by Son Byung-ho) has begun preparations for a coup, planning to install Lee Hwa-seong, a fallen royal family member, as the new king. The Queen Dowager appears to be involved in this conspiracy through Poong San's manipulation. In a fortunate turn of events, King Lee Jung witnesses Lee Hwa-seong leaving after meeting with the Queen Dowager, raising his suspicions about potential treachery.

These developments highlight the complex web of political machinations occurring alongside the supernatural elements, creating multiple layers of conflict for our protagonists to navigate.

Poong San's Dark Powers and the Blind Shaman

Poong San (Kim Sang-ho) emerges as one of the most dangerous antagonists in this episode. It's revealed that he has created talismans capable of neutralizing Gangcheol's serpent spirit powers, representing a significant threat to our hero. Additionally, he provides Kwak Sang-chung with a weapon to use against Gangcheol, further demonstrating his determination to eliminate the serpent spirit.

The connection between Poong San and the Eight-Feet Spirit becomes clearer as Gangcheol discovers that Poong San has been worshipping the spirit in an underground shrine. This revelation explains why the spirit has been able to maintain such a powerful presence and suggests that Poong San may be using the spirit's power for his own agenda.

When confronted at the Blind Shaman Bureau, the shaman becomes possessed by the Eight-Feet Spirit and attacks Gangcheol. During this confrontation, the spirit makes a shocking claim—it recognizes Gangcheol from 100 years ago. This unexpected connection raises numerous questions about Gangcheol's past and his true purpose on Earth.

The episode effectively builds Poong San into a formidable villain whose motivations remain mysterious but whose actions clearly threaten both the kingdom and our protagonists.

The 100-Year-Old Connection Revealed

One of the most shocking revelations in Episode 10 comes when the Eight-Feet Spirit claims to recognize Gangcheol from 100 years in the past. A flashback reveals that the child who witnessed Gangcheol's descent to Earth a century ago later became the Eight-Feet Spirit himself.

This unexpected connection between Gangcheol and the spirit adds a profound layer to the story, suggesting that their fates have been intertwined for far longer than anyone realized. It raises questions about whether Gangcheol was sent to Earth specifically to end the spirit's suffering, creating a poignant dimension to their antagonistic relationship.

The revelation also hints at a deeper purpose behind Gangcheol's presence in the human world. Perhaps his mission extends beyond his personal desire to become a celestial being—he might be fulfilling a cosmic role in resolving an ancient spiritual conflict.

This twist has generated significant buzz among viewers, with many speculating about the nature of their past connection and how it will influence the resolution of their current conflict. Online communities are filled with theories about the identity of the child and what circumstances led to his transformation into such a powerful vengeful spirit.

Viewer Reactions and Ratings Success

Episode 10 of 'The Haunted Palace' has continued the show's impressive ratings streak, maintaining its position as the top-rated miniseries drama for five consecutive weeks. The series has captured audiences with its unique blend of traditional Korean folklore elements, palace intrigue, and romance.

Viewers have particularly praised Yook Sung-jae's performance as Gangcheol, with many commenting on his ability to portray both the otherworldly nature of the serpent spirit and the growing humanity he develops through his relationship with Yeo-ri. Kim Ji-yeon has also received acclaim for her portrayal of Yeo-ri, with fans appreciating her character's strength and determination.

The episode's cliffhanger ending has generated substantial discussion online, with viewers eagerly theorizing about Yeo-ri's fate and the implications of the Eight-Feet Spirit's connection to Gangcheol. Social media platforms are buzzing with hashtags related to the show, and reaction videos analyzing key scenes have garnered millions of views.

Beyond domestic success, 'The Haunted Palace' has also performed exceptionally well on international streaming platforms, ranking in the top 10 in several Asian countries. Critics have praised the show's production values, particularly its visual effects in depicting supernatural elements and its atmospheric portrayal of the historical setting.

Looking Ahead: What to Expect Next

As 'The Haunted Palace' moves into its second half, Episode 10 has set up several compelling storylines that will likely drive the remaining episodes. The immediate concern is Yeo-ri's rescue from Poong San's clutches, which previews suggest will be a focus of Episode 11.

The revelation about Gangcheol's connection to the Eight-Feet Spirit will undoubtedly be explored further, potentially revealing more about Gangcheol's past and the true nature of his mission on Earth. This connection may force Gangcheol to make difficult choices about using his pearl to destroy the spirit, especially if there's a more humane way to resolve the spirit's grievances.

The political conspiracy involving Kim Bong-in and Lee Hwa-seong threatens to destabilize the kingdom, creating additional challenges for our protagonists. King Lee Jung's growing awareness of these machinations suggests he will take a more active role in countering these threats.

Perhaps most intriguingly, previews hint at potential conflict between Gangcheol and BiBi, with Poong San apparently succeeding in driving a wedge between them. This development could complicate Gangcheol's ability to protect Yeo-ri and fulfill his mission.

With six episodes remaining in its 16-episode run, 'The Haunted Palace' is perfectly positioned to deliver an exciting and emotionally satisfying conclusion to its supernatural romance saga, continuing to blend elements of horror, fantasy, and historical drama in its unique K-drama approach.